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Dirk Nowitzki, Grizzlies say Jerry Stackhouse can help Vanderbilt

The memory that lingers in Delon Wright's head about playing for Jerry Stackhouse over the past four seasons should serve as a cautionary tale to the Vanderbilt men's basketball team.

Fresh off second-team All-American honors at Utah, Wright reported to the 2015 NBA Summer League with the Raptors, who had selected him 20th overall in that year's draft.

At his first practice with the summer league team, the 6-foot-5 rookie point guard found himself playing against Stackhouse, then a first-year assistant coach with the Raptors who was just two years removed from an 18-year NBA playing career.

New Vanderbilt basketball coach Jerry Stackhouse laughs with the media as he is introduced during a press conference at Memorial Gym Monday, April 8, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

New Vanderbilt basketball coach Jerry Stackhouse laughs with the media as he is introduced during a press conference at Memorial Gym Monday, April 8, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

New Vanderbilt basketball coach Jerry Stackhouse listens to questions from the media during his introductory press conference at Memorial Gym Monday, April 8, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

New Vanderbilt basketball coach Jerry Stackhouse listens to questions from the media during his introductory press conference at Memorial Gym Monday, April 8, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Jerry Stackhouse shakes hands with Vanderbilt athletic director Malcolm Turner as he is introduced as the new Vanderbilt Basketball coach during a press conference at Memorial Gym Monday, April 8, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Jerry Stackhouse listens to a question during an interview as he is introduced as the new Vanderbilt basketball coach at Memorial Gym Monday, April 8, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

"I think that works perfectly for the college coaches because those college kids, they need discipline," Wright said. "Especially when they come out of high school and they’re used to being the main player, they kind of have to get that ego check. So I think he’ll be perfect for them.”

Stackhouse is known for leading the NBA in scoring during 2000-01 season when he was with the Detroit Pistons. But it was his understanding of the game that helped him carve out a playing career that lasted well beyond the back-to-back All-Star appearances of his athletic prime.

Dirk Nowitzki, a 14-time All-Star and 2007 MVP, said Sunday that Stackhouse always saw the game and was reading the game.

"You could always talk with him about stuff you see," said Nowitzki, who played with Stackhouse in Dallas from 2004 to 2009 as Stackhouse transitioned from an athletic phenom to a veteran sixth man. "So he definitely has the charisma for it.”

Nowitzki saw Stackhouse briefly at halftime on Friday night when the Grizzlies won at Dallas. By then, Vanderbilt had announced the hiring of Stackhouse.

When the Grizzlies and Mavericks met again Sunday in Memphis, Stackhouse already had left the Grizzlies in preparation for Monday's introduction at Vanderbilt.

Stackhouse's weekend departure foiled Rick Carlisle's plan to congratulate his former player in person on Sunday.

"I believed that in time he would become an NBA head coach," said Carlisle, who coached Stackhouse in Detroit and Dallas. "But this opportunity came up. I’m assuming he has a relationship with Malcolm (Turner), he thought it fit and he’s going. He’s a worker, an aggressive guy and he’ll make things happen.”

Grizzlies will miss Jerry Stackhouse

Stackhouse was with the Grizzlies less than a year. He drew praise Sunday for helping acclimate a crop of four former Raptors who have played key roles for the Grizzlies in the season's second half.

“He made it easier, because there was some newness obviously," Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "But he had a relationship with those guys before. So he was able to have their trust. Through that, because of his trust for me and their trust for him, it made it easier for them to accept my voice more quickly. That was appreciated.”

Bickerstaff referred to Stackhouse's opportunity at Vanderbilt as "a blessing" and praised Stackhouse for his toughness, defensive mindset and ability to develop players.

"In the college game, he’s going to have a lot of success because he does know how to teach the game," Bickerstaff said. "When you’re working with young kids that are a fresh slate, he can leave a huge imprint on him.”

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Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse looks up to the scoreboard during a basketball game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Arkansas Razorbacks during the SEC Basketball Tournament held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse yells to his players in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Mark Humphrey, AP

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse gives instructions to his team during the second half against LSU at Memorial Gym Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. Vanderbilt defeated LSU 99 to 90. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse watches his team lose 77 to 62 against Alabama during the second half at Memorial Gym Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse yells at a referee as his team loses 77 to 62 against Alabama during the second half at Memorial Gym Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Austin Peay Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Vanderbilt won 90-72.
Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Austin Peay Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Vanderbilt won 90-72.
Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse yells to his team during the second half against Southeast Missouri State at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse watches his team play against Clark Atlanta during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.
Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse celebrates with players after a basket was made against Clark Atlanta during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.
Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse talks with forward Matthew Moyer (13) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Clark Atlanta Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.
Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse talks to players during a timeout against Clark Atlanta in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Former Pistons guard Jerry Stackhouse talks with reporters during halftime of the Pistons' 105-101 loss to the Wizards in the final game at the Palace of Auburn Hills April 10, 2017. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Dallas Mavericks' Jerry Stackhouse slaps hands with fans as he leaves the court after the Mavericks beat the Miami Heat 99-85 in Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals in Dallas, Sunday, June 11, 2006. Stackhouse scored 19 points in the game. DAVID J. PHILLIP, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse watches his team play before a timeout against Clark Atlanta during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse directs his players against Clark Atlanta during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.
Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse watches his team warm up before playing Clark Atlanta in an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.
Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse walks back to the bench after greeting the officials before playing Clark Atlanta in an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.
Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse talks with guard Saben Lee during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Clark Atlanta Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.
Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse congratulates forward Matthew Moyer (13) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Clark Atlanta Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.
Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse celebrates with players after a basket was made against Clark Atlanta during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.
Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse watches his team play against Clark Atlanta during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.
Mark Zaleski/ For the Tennessean

Stackhouse faces the task of turning Vanderbilt around after its worst season in school history. The Commodores finished with a program-record 20-game losing streak and an 0-18 SEC record. They were the league's first team with a winless conference record in 65 years.

But those familiar with Stackhouse believe he is up for the challenge — even if it requires him to dunk on a new crop of players.

“I know he wants to be a future NBA coach," Wright said. "So I think him going to college will be another good tool for him to get the experience of being a head coach.”

Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @DavidWCobb.